Hi everyone,
Panicking slightly. I’ve always even for last-minute sits gotten 5-15 applications. This month I’ve gotten zero applications, zero messages. It almost seems as if the site just isn’t working… I know I can boost, play around with dates, zhuzh up my title, etc… and I’ve tried/am trying all those things, but I really just wanted to ask whether anyone else is noticing something is up? Like you always get tons of applications and suddenly radio silence?
Can it be that there’s a major drop in folks traveling??
Thanks for any insight, commiserations…
2 Likes
I think you are right. Fewer people are traveling internationally.
Also, it seems that THS has been “discovered” and there are far more listings than I have seen since 2021 when I joined. I realize that COVID was part of the issue, but I bet that the number of listings is at an all time high. Lots of competition. Some owners need to up their game to find sitters!
There are many threads in this Forum if owners want advice on attracting sitters.
Thanks for the reply and insight PVGemini!
With my views and coveted location I’ve always had such a wealth of wonderful applications, lovely people with multiple reviews… now I’m probably going to have to hire someone locally (which is not the end of the world but galling when I’ve spent so much on the annual TH fee).
Just months ago I had to travel unexpectedly, posted a last-minute sit just three days in advance, and got multiple applications. So strange to have none this time, I’ve never ever had zero. (Rant over LOL! Thanks again for the response.)
1 Like
Besides various economies experiencing volatility and people cutting back as a result, there have been mass layoffs in tech, which includes many remote jobs. And various companies have cut back on remote work for existing employees and new hires.
That’s separate from some folks doing less or no U.S. sitting if they’re worried about crossing borders.
Given the U.S. population, Americans usually contribute a lot to travel spending, but this is happening, for example, which probably is reflected to some degree in sitting as well:
https://www.wsj.com/economy/summer-vacation-economy-confidence-55fef21c
1 Like
Can you post your listing (attach it here to your profile) so that experienced sitters can maybe offer help as to how to improve it if necessary?
Thanks Maggie8K, it’s indeed worrisome that people are losing remote work opportunities and traveling less… I was hoping it wouldn’t have such a profound effect… troubling to say the least!! A lot of my sitters through this platform have been European but I suspect canceling travel to the US also has many also canceling travel to the rest of us in the Americas.
My heart goes out to anyone who’s lost their source of income… I depend on a remote job as well so… concerned for all of us 
1 Like
Thanks so much Smiley! I have that sorted. Was wanting to see if others suspect the platform is having technical difficulties and/or insight such as Maggie8K’s above re: are there far fewer applicants/travelers.
Appreciate all the kind responses.
I hear you. Unfortunate for various folks, well beyond sitting.
Separately, on another thread, I saw three full-time nomads saying that they missed having a home base, so were reverting to that. Presumably such folks would be doing less sitting as well.
Personally, I telecommute full time and sit only when working. And this year, I’m doing more nesting and nonsit travel, so will be doing fewer sits. That sort of thing probably ebbs and flows for various sitters and meanwhile THS seems to be signing up more hosts.
Very true; much like expat life it’s very dynamic with people constantly transitioning into and out of the nomad life. I myself was a globetrotter and now hard-core nesting! I am just astonished at what a difference between now and before… I’ve hosted I think 10 sits since I started in July 2023 and have always gotten so many applications, never less than five. I sound like a bit of a broken record but… zero?! I’m thunderstruck I am… nice to get messages here, one doesn’t feel quite so despondent or in a vacuum so thanks again.
2 Likes
I still can’t see your listing attached to your profile
1 Like
We’ve decided to not travel to the USA in the near future or next few years, and many of our UK friends are feeling the same I’m afraid and diverting their trip plans to Canada. I’m sorry that you’re finding yourself caught up in and impacted by the recent shift in world geopolitics. There’s been a few threads about this topic particularly about border controls. Certainly there are lots of HOs getting sitters in Australia and Europe from what I have noticed so the App/website is working normally I’d say. Searching the Map tool shows the other listings near to you which would show if there’s an oversupply of sits in your location. Best wishes.
1 Like
Sounds like the host is in Panama.
2 Likes
Ah yes I got sidetracked by Maggie8k linking to a piece about the economy and Americans travelling less… and made an assumption about the original poster (my bad). If it is Panama that is a rather exciting location….
I linked to that piece, because it would probably be cheapest for Americans to travel there (and there are many sitters from the U.S.), but Americans are tightening up on travel spending.
1 Like
Thanks BonnyinBrighton and Maggie8K - yep Panama. Not many listings in my area so I’ve always had loads of interest from potential expats as well as digital nomads.
1 Like
I think I found the listing in Panama and note that the HO suggests it’s a good sit for a solo traveller already in country with a car although a previous sitter managed without….so yes you’re probably correct Maggie8k that it’s due to far fewer American travellers going south.
It might be worth the HO updating and directing the listing to potential Europe based sitters maybe?Although rather too short a sit for most travellers to buy flights for unless already planning to be there.
For international sitters & tourists, it’s the current USA policy putting people off travelling there. Many countries’ governments, including Australia, have updated their travel warnings about the risks of being denied entry at the US border. Like many people I won’t be travelling there for the next 4 years. I suggest you market your sit to US citizens. Sorry but it’s the hard reality right now.
(Edited in line with posting guidelines)
4 Likes
The sit is in Panama, not the U.S.
1 Like
We’ve seen several of these types of posts by pet parents recently both here and on other forums. With the increased marketing efforts by THS, I assume that many pet parents signed up for accounts which creates competition for older accounts while at the same times the number of sitters traveling has decreased due to costs/job losses/loss of remote work, etc. Hosts from cities where there are a lot of sits available need to up their game. Sometimes I see sits that might interest me, but I don’t apply for many reasons : lack of good public transportation, high cost flights, rental cars, too much responsibilities, ad doesn’t sound warm (only listing the many responsibilities versus what is available to sitters for their enjoyment.) etc., lack of sit details, not family friendly, too many rules on the listing. Everything has to be just right for me to apply. If a host could address these items, I think it will be more competitive against the other listings.
Edited to be in line with Forum Guidelines
6 Likes